Music-roll for mechanical musical instruments.



H.P.BALL."

MUSIC ROLL FOR MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION IILED JAN. 29, 1902.

'98,86, v Patented Feb. 8, 1910;

2 BHEETS-SHEET 1.

' H. P. BALL. MUSIC ROLL FOR MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APYLIGATION FILED JAN.29,1902. H 9%,. yatentea Feb. 8, 1910,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

iiiffz am as INSULL,,OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS.

HENRY Piston nennornnwYoRK,11 r.Y., ASSIGNOR or one-Harts T0 sAMUnL MUSIC-ROLL ronnncnanrcar. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Ifatent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

Application filed January 29, 1902. Seria l'No. 91,747.

To all'whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, Hnxsr PRICE BALL, a citizen of the Unitedv States, residing at New York city, county and. State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Im rovements' in Music-Rolls for Mechanica Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification. I My invention consists in a music roll constructed to automatically adjust the distance between its guiding flanges to comensate 'for variations in width of the per- ?orated music strip or of the roll upon which the music strip is wound.

My invention also consists in the combina I tion with. such music roll and perforated music strip of'a device designed to main tain a point on the longitudinal axis of the perforated music strip, in the center of the perforated strip moves.

tracker-board, as the over such board.

The object of my invention is to cause the perforations of the perforated. music strip,

'to accurately register at all times, with the desired openings in the tracker-board, and thus overcome the objectional irregularity e movement of the erforated strip over the 'trackenboard and the consequent mingling or lack of definition of sounds, now common in all musical instruments employing a perforated music strip and a tracker-board.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention, and in which similar letters indicate like parts. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and partial elevation of one form ofiny im- 2 1 1 Fig. 11 is an end proved music roll and its supports. Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1 looking froni the left. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1 looking from the right. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section and partial elevation showing a moditied form of my improved music roll and its supports Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 4 looking from the left. Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig. 4 looking from the right; Fig. 7 is an enlarged section and elevation of the right hand end of Fig.1. Fig. 8 is an end view of Fi 7 looking from'the right. Fig. 9 is an en view of the rotating shaft look- "ing from the left. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal .sectioniof a modified form of music roll,

also illustrating means for view of Fig.

ing 1) at the left and centering 1 the 10, looking from the left. Fig. 12 is an end view of Fig. 10, looking from the right. Fig. 13 is an end view of the rotating shaft, drivin gears, and adjusting yoke, looking from t e left. Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section of a music roll showing a Further modi fication with the music strip wound thereon. Fig. 15 is an end view from the left.

In the drawin s: (Figs. 1, 4, and 7) A indicates a cylinder of wood or other suitable material, rfivided with pins B, C, By means of whic it is supported in and ro-.

musical instrument upon which it is used.

- In Figs. 1. and 2, the cylinder Ais ean tered by means of the spring-pressed bearrotated through the shajt E at the right, 'co-acting with the v wing-pin C at the right of the cylinder.

The music roll, so far as described, is that" which is commonly used slcal instruments, such as the Pianola,

in mechanical 'mu- Angelus etc, and presents no features of novelty.

' Mounted on and inclosin the cylinder A, Figs. 1, 4 and 7, is a second hollow cylinder F, formed of aper or other material, which under atmosp eric conditions, will have the same co-eificlent of expansion and contraction as that of the muslc strip carried by the music roll.

. In Figs. .10 and 14, the solid cylinder A is omitted. Situated at opposite ends of the hollow cylinder F are guiding flanges G. In Figs. 1,

7, and 10 the guiding flanges are shown as secured to the hollow cylinder F. In Figs. 4 and 14 the guiding flanges are separate from the hollow cylinder F. In order to press thev separate guiding flanges G into contact with the cylinder F, the

s rings H or H are employed. In Fig. i t ese sprin stake the form of disks H, and

in Fig. 14.- t at of a helix H.

and 7, the hollow cylinder F secured tq the solid'cylinder A at J. It will, therefore,ibe apparent that when the hollow cylinder F'expends and contractsunder at- In Figs. 1, i,

mospheric conditions, it will be to and from the point of sup ort J. In Figs. 10 and 14 the hollow cylin er F and mus1cs'trip I are shown 1 as sup orted by cylindrical hearing rods K, L, w ich are longitudinally movable in theirbear ngs,

is shown as these figures through the bearing rod L,

which receives its motion from a narrow faced gear N, in mesh with a bread-faced ear M, which latter receives its motion rom any suitable source of power.

The guiding flanges G, as shown in Figs. 1 2rd 7 are plain on their inner surface and convex on their outer surface. As shown in Fig. 4, plain on both surfaces, with a round ed erlphery. As shown in a Fig. 10, the gu ing flanges are plain on both surfaces and are cupped at the center and the cups situated within the ends of the hollow cylinder. The flange at the left is provided with a central opening a, adapted to receive the left hand end of the cylindrical bearing rod K. The flange at the right is provided with a central opening a, with radial slots ,L, adapted to receive the winged end 0 of tlie cylindrical bearing rod L, which enters the s ots Z). I

In Fig. 14, the guiding flanges G are plain on their inner surface and at the middle portion of their outer surface and inclined from the middle portion from without inward. These flanges are connected to rectangular pins d, situated within the hollow cylinder F. The pin at the left is provided with a central opening 0,, adapted to receive the end of the bearing rod K, and the pin at the right may be coupled by means of any ordinary connection with the left hand end of the bearing rod L.

As it is essential that the music strip I, whatever itswidth, e.,-contracted or ex panded, shall be centered relative to the tracker-board of the instrument upon which it is used, I may employ in connection with a solid cylinder A, shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 7, the spring-pressed hearing I). This bearin will serve to maintain a point on the cy inder A,'for instance, J, at the center of i the trackei board; or I may employ in connection with the hollow cylinder F, as shown in Figs. 10 and 14, a centering device. This.

- device consists of slotted collars O, secured to or forming a part of the cylindrical bearing rods K, L. (lo-acting with the slots 1 of these collars are the yolces Q, pivoted at R, and provided with pins which take in the slots P. These yokes are connected through links S to a lever T, pivoted at U, in the frame of the mechanical musical instrument. Connected to one end of the lever- T is a spiralspring V, the other end of which is connected to a fixed support \V, which may be the body of the mechanical musical instrument.

The operation of my device is as follows: .The hollow, cylinder F will expand and contract when influenced by atmospheric changes. In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 4:, and 7, where the hollow cylinder F is secured at J to the solid cylinder A,

1 the expansion and contraction will be horisontal in opposite directions from the point of attachment J.

In Figs. 1, 7, and 10, where the flanges G are directly attached to the hollow cylinder F, the flanges will be moved both outwardly and inwardly by the expansion and contraction of the cylinder. In Figs. 4: and 1d, wheredhe flanges G are not attached to the hollgfiw cylinder F, they will be moved outwar indr F', or the music strip I on the hollow cylinder, and inward by the action of the springs H, Fig. 4, or helix 11, Fig. 14.

Centering of the roll when constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and '2 is accomplished by means of the spring-pressed bearing I), which maintains a point on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder A, i. (2., J opposite the denter of the tracker-board, and when constructed as shown in Figs. 10 and 14:, by means of the spring V, lever '1, links S and levers Q, acting upon the collars O, which serve to move cylindrical bearing rods K, L, longitudinally iii-their beds.

It will be observed that in each form of construction shown and described, the hollow cylinder F is subjected to the action of the atmosphere not only-upon its external, but its internal surface, the object of which arrangement is to obtain uniform action of the atmosphere upon the cylinder.

I wish it understood that I do not limit myself in this application to the specific construction described and shown for the music roll, or' for centering the music roll, as it will be evident that many changes may be made therein without departing from the intent of my invention.

'llaving thusdescribed my invention, 1 claim:

1. The combination with a mechanical musical instrument having a tracker-board, a music roll coi'nprising a tubular body adapted to expand and contract under atmospheric conditions, a removable music strip wound thereon, guiding flanges situated at the ends of the music strip, means whereby said flanges will follow the movements of the music strip "in expanding and contracting, and means for centering the 1 music roll as a whole relative to the tracker-board of the instrument.

musical instrument having a tracker-board,

3. The combination with a mechanical by the expansion of the hollow cyl-v "2. The combination with a. mechanical a music roll, longitudinally movable bearing musical instrument having a tracker-board, a music roll, means not secured to the roll relation to the contraction as the ports.

emcee a for supporting the-roll and centering it intrackenboard, said means comprising supporting pins, flanges mounted on said, pins, and means for el'ecting longitudinal movement of the pins.

combination with a mechanical musical instrument having a tracker-board,

amusic roll, guiding flanges not connected 7 to the roll, means for effecting a constant 1nward tension upon the flanges, supporting pins ope'rativelyarranged relative to the flanges, bearin s in'which said pins are longitudinally movable, -me'ans for. centering the roll with relation and means for rotating the roll irrespective of its position relative to its supporting bearings.

5. The combination with a mechanical musical instrument, of a music roll comprising a tube having the same expansion and material to be wound thereon, means for maintaining the tube operatively centered in the' instrument, and a flange pressed against each end of the tube.

6. The combination with a tracker-board, of a music roll comprising a supporting body having a flange at each end thereof and a perforated music stri wound thereon,

said strip bein formed 0 will coincidenty der atmospheric changesgpspindles directly engaging the flanges, andhneans for effect ing longitudinal movementof said spindles material which expand and contract'unto maintain a point on the music roll' at thecenter of the tracker-board.

7. The combination with a music roll, of longitudinally movable supports therefor,

and means external to the roll for producing equal longitudinal travel of saidnsup- 8. A music roll comprising a tubular body variable in length under atmospheric conditions, structurally independent spindles at the ends of the, roll, a music strip wound on the roll, flanges mounted on the spindles, and. means whereby theflanges will exert an inward pressure upon the ends of the music strip andjirrespective'of the width of the music strip.

9. A music roll comprising a. tubular bod formed of a material capable of longitudinal expansion and contraction due to atmospheric changes, the ends of the body, studs upon the flanges projecting into i the body, supp'ortingthe roll. v

10. A- finusic r611 com risin a tubular body formed of a material capable of longitudinal expansion and contraction due to atmospheric changes, flanges loosely. fitted over theends of the body, terminal-bearings for the body, the ends of said body being included between the flanges and terminal bearings, andsuitable journaling means at.

each end of the roll.

to the'trac-ker-board,

flanges loosely fitted over and journal pins,

tudinally adjusting.

11. A music spool comprising a tubular body formed of amaterial capable of longitudinal expansion and contraction due to atmospheric changes, flanges loosely fitted over the ends of thebody, bearings con nected to the flanges and projecting into the ends of the body, and journaling means at each endof the spool.

12. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination of a music roll comprising a tubular body, opposed flange members adjustable toward and from each'other; of

means operatively. connecting said flange members and arranged to insure their recipr'ocatory movement in definite relation to each other.

13. The combination with a mechanical musical instrument, of a music roll comprising atubular' body, guiding flanges situated at the ends of the body and recessed to receive the body, a music strip wound on the tub ular'body, and rotating and supporting means for the roll.

14. The combination with a tracker-- board, of a music roll comprising a tubular body capable of expansion and contraction under maintainin the trackersaid oard, flanges located at the ends ofsaid body and adapted to follow the movements thereof in expanding and contrading, and a music strip wound upon said :body and formed of a material vindependent of that of which the body is made.

1'5.- The combination with a trackerboard, of a music roll comprising a tubular body made of a material whichwill maintain the tubular form of the body'and permit longitudinal expansion and contraction of-the body under atmospheric conditions, means acting automaticall -to center the body rela' tive to the trackeroard, guiding flanges at the ends of the body, and a music strlp secured at one end to the body and wound ereon.

16. The combination with a trackera supporting and rotating spin-.

board and dle, as adapted for use m a mechanical musical instrument, a music roll consisting of a cylindrical tube formed of a material which will maintain its tubular shape, and expand and contract under atmospheric conditions, means acting automatically to center said body relative to the tracker-board, a music str p wound thereon, and guiding flanges at i the ends of the tubular body.

17. A spool for a music roll comprising a tubular body, supporting spindles therefor, bearings for said spindles, together with means for adjusting said spindles longitudinally in the bearings.

18. The combination with a spool for a music roll, of supporting spindles therefor, bearings for said spindles, means for longiatmospheric conditions, means for ody centered relative to said spindles in. said 0 bearings, and means for rotating one of said spindles and through it the spool.

l9. The combination with a spool for a music roll, ofa two-part spindle therefor external to the spool, one member of the spindle being longitudinally movable'in a direction opposite to that of the other member.

20. The combination with' a spool for a music roll, of artwo-part spindle therefor, the'menibers of/thespindle being provided with means external to the ,spool to produce relative longitudinal movement of one member of the spindle in a direction opposite to r that of the other member.-

21. The combination with a spool for a music roll, of a two-part spindle therefor provided with means for automatically centering the spool with respect to the trackerboard. I i

22. The combination with a spool for a music roll,-of terminal supports for the spool, and means external to the; spool connecting the supports.

23. The combination with a spool for a. music roll, of terminal supports for the spool, and means external to the'spool connecting the supports to simultaneously ad- ]ust them in accordance with variations 1n length of the spool.

24. Thecombination with a spool for a music roll, of supports: therefor, together with means for moving said supports n opposite directions the same or proportional amounts at the same time.

25. In combination with a music roll, of independent means external to the roll selfacting to center the roll in relation to the tracker-hoard.

2(5. The combination with a music roll of variable width, of automatic means external to the roll and independent of its Width for centering it in relation to the tracker-board.

27. The combination with a music roll, of external, self-acting mechanical means for centering it with respect to the trackerboard. p c

28. The combination with music rolls of various widths, of self-adjusting external means for centering them singly to a tracker-board and independently of their widths.

25). The combination with music rolls of various widths, of automatic external means acting ndependently of their widths-to center them at one time to a :tracker-board.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signerv 

